Maria Guadalupe Garibay

Maria Guadalupe Garibay died Wednesday evening, June 6, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loved ones and her precious cat, Camille.

St. James Plaindealer - St. James, MN

Writer

Posted Jun. 11, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 11, 2012 at 10:14 AM

Posted Jun. 11, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 11, 2012 at 10:14 AM

Madelia, Minn.

Maria Guadalupe Garibay died Wednesday evening, June 6, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loved ones and her precious cat, Camille. She fought a courageous 12-year battle with cancer and was an inspiration and a positive example to all who knew her. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 9, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madelia, with Father Thien Nguyen officiating. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Madelia. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 8, 2012 at Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel, in Madelia and at the Funeral Home one hour prior to the service at church. You may send family condolences online at www.sturmfh.com. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home, Pilgrim Chapel in Madelia.

Maria was born to Francisco and Socorro (Chavez) Martinez on June 1, 1956 in Matamoros Tamaulipas, Mexico. She came to live with her family in Madelia, in the early 1970's. Maria married Aurelio Garibay on July 22, 1977 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madelia. They made their home together in Madelia until Aurelio died on February 17, 1999. Maria then moved to her little white house at 114 3rd St. NE and lived there until the time of her death. Maria had a passion for life and lived every day to the fullest. She loved her flowers and spending time in her gardens. She was very dedicated to her job at Tony Downs Foods in Madelia and continued to work until shortly before her death. She was active in her faith, the Watonwan County Cancer Support Group, the Watonwan County Relay for Life, the community garden and was an advocate for the Hispanic community, helping however she could.

Maria is survived by her brother, Faustino Martinez of Mexico; six sisters, Francisca Martinez of Madelia, Soledad Martinez of N. Mankato, Maria Luisa Flores of Madelia, Sara Rieger of New Ulm, Adelita Molina of Houston, Texas, and Elena Eichberger of Mankato; many nieces and nephews, of whom she was very proud; her dear cat Camille; special friend Kristi Zellmann and many other friends. She touched many lives and was kind to everyone she met.

She was preceded in death by her father, Francisco Martinez, in 1987; husband, Aurelio Garibay, in 1999 and her mother, Socorro Martinez in 2010.